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DJSNOWFLAKE
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2014
Posts: 8
Location: North COAST
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 Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:50 pm Post subject: Just had Bus Depot (AVP) rebuilt 2.1 installed |
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Im about to get my 86 wolfy out of the shop, Its having a Bus Depot rebuilt 2.1 installed, also new clutch, radiator, exhaust, belts hoses etc… Ive realized that Bus Depot uses AVP to rebuild their engines and come to find out they don't have a very good reputation.. so my question is how many people out there have used Bus depot/AVP rebuilds and whats your experience?
The only info I can find is from the early 2000's and the newest being from 2006, Im hoping AVP has improved since then..
am I totally F'd or do you think ill be okay? |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:16 am Post subject: Re: just had bus depot (AVP) rebuilt 2.1 installed |
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| DJSNOWFLAKE wrote: |
Im about to get my 86 wolfy out of the shop, Its having a Bus Depot rebuilt 2.1 installed, also new clutch, radiator, exhaust, belts hoses etc… Ive realized that Bus Depot uses AVP to rebuild their engines and come to find out they don't have a very good reputation.. so my question is how many people out there have used Bus depot/AVP rebuilds and whats your experience?
The only info I can find is from the early 2000's and the newest being from 2006, Im hoping AVP has improved since then..
am I totally F'd or do you think ill be okay? |
What is the warranty? BusDepot is the one you paid for the engine, they stand behind everything they sell just fine. We all have things to worry about, don't waste your worry about something that hasn't happened... Save it for something better. 
Jeff
_________________
www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI 
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:20 am Post subject: |
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I got Two AVP "remanufactured" heads.
They were so poorly machined and so lacking in critical quality control details that I returned them. My concern was excessive pitting in the green Oring seal surface and being flycut to a larger diameter in the green ORing area than the factory cylinder cut diameter.
I was accused by AVP in so many words as being a picky customer!
".........if the customer is uncomfortable with those, then we probably won't be able to make him happy......."
In their defense, they did not fight taking the heads back and did offer to look for better heads that weren't as decayed / badly cut, but I declined.
If must look for better heads than you send out routinely....... Do I really want them? And even saying that ....... yes, there are better examples available, I will look for them if you want........tells me that they KNOW what quality they are shipping out!
I should note, Bus Depot was great handling my concerns!
I do question the wisdom of selling the product and did mention my concerns to them. Who knows? They probably have me classified as a problem customer! 
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:31 am Post subject: |
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RonS and BD are awesome about warranty issues.
Sure there are more detailed engine rebuilders, but the cost is much higher.
Just run it. |
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DJSNOWFLAKE
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2014
Posts: 8
Location: North COAST
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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Okay i feel a little better, I called bus depot and they said that most of the bad reviews on AVP are old (which is what i noticed as well) they say they sell about an engine a week, so I can't imagine them selling that many bad engines as there would be more feedback out there..
Im going to stop worrying, and start looking forward to driving this beast.. |
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thatvwbusguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007
Posts: 1712
Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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AVP is usually considered one of the better large volume engine rebuilders. If you had purchased a GEX rebuild instead, then you would really have something to worry about
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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MightyChin
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Brooklyn
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| Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:56 am Post subject: |
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@djsnowflake any issues with the install? Any issues to report, big or small? How's the break in going?
My vanagon is in the shop right now getting an AVP rebuild installed. The engine is actually in place, but we are getting lots of oily smoke when it heats up and it's running rough. My mechanic is working through it and I'm wondering if anyone else on the samba has had recent experience with an AVP engine. |
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HeadyBrosevelt
Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2014
Posts: 15
Location: Leadville, CO
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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| djsnowflake- how is that engine working out for you. i am currently in the process of wanting to put an engine in my '82 aircooled so i can rebuild mine (i lost compression). i am split between trying to find a decent used one or getting a reasonably priced refurbished. the bus depot is on my radar because of their good reputation, but i have heard mixed reports about AVP. If you get a chance, let me know your thoughts. Thanks! |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| HeadyBrosevelt wrote: |
| djsnowflake- how is that engine working out for you. i am currently in the process of wanting to put an engine in my '82 aircooled so i can rebuild mine (i lost compression). i am split between trying to find a decent used one or getting a reasonably priced refurbished. the bus depot is on my radar because of their good reputation, but i have heard mixed reports about AVP. If you get a chance, let me know your thoughts. Thanks! |
You should also consider this place for an aircooled engine....
http://www.headflowmasters.com/
Key words...new improved heads. |
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LB Sammy
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2010
Posts: 24
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 9:35 am Post subject: Mid america motorworks?? |
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| great info in here, thanks! Anyone have experience with purchasing newly manufactured engines from Mid america motorworks? I'm looking into one for my 81 aircooled Vanagon. Thanks in advanced! |
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thatvwbusguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007
Posts: 1712
Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 10:05 am Post subject: |
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It looks like Mid America Motorworks only sells remanufactured (rebuilt) engines for the Vanagon: http://www.mamotorworks.com/VW/product/remanufactured-engine-2000cc-with-hydraulic-lifters_319444
The newly manufactured engine cases and crate engines from MAM are for the Type 1 (upright) engines that were used in Beetle's, Ghia's, Thing's (and Buses until 1971) among others. This engine type is not designed for use in an aircooled Vanagon.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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LB Sammy
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2010
Posts: 24
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:16 am Post subject: I feel silly |
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Apparently I didn't do my research very well. Thanks for being more on it then me ! Can you or anyone recommend a couple companies that sell newly manufactured engines for my '81 van? Thanks!!
Also, any advise for me in regards to buying one of these and having someone install vs. rebuilding my current one? |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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LB Sammy
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2010
Posts: 24
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:41 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks Dave!!! Much appreciated sir. I'll check back in later |
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